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4 . 2 7 . 0 2 Went to the reception for Richardson, met some admitted students, faculty and deans. It kind of felt like an old boy's club I have the option of joining, the way people were milling about, socializing. I recognized one of the guys I used to wrestle in high school there, I was about to say hi and congratulate him, but then I realized that he was serving food. Talked to some people, actually met a girl who went to Madison just this last year. she did look a little familiar. ran into Abby, and my brother's good freind's sister. She's planning on going back to school for a second career. small island really. Pretty much everyone was surprised that I was considering going to the cold country over paradise. Saw a couple Punahou grads there, nobody I really talked to, but familiar faces. of course the question did come up in conversation. You can literally see the cogs in a person's mind spin. Only in Hawaii. Trial is going well with the court, in many respects this defendant has been a model case for my experience with the court. the procedural aspects of the case, severity of the crime, and his willingness to take the stand and sell his story to the jury. Classes are winding down, I'm supposed to be cranking out a final paper by tuesday, or next week, if I'm willing to take an extension. Reading is interesting, but as usual I would much rather just read as opposed to writing about it. Got a little sidetracked and am reading the "Nanjing Massacre" by Honda. Apparently Honda began his research after following both US and North Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam conflict and witnessed war atrocities against civilians. He began to wonder about Japan's occupation and aggression of Asia 50 years ago and decided to return to the cities and conduct interviews of the survivors. I agree with the commentary in the sidejacket, it really is a far superior piece of work compared to Iris Chang's "Rape of Nanking". It is longer, and not as exciting maybe, but takes a brutally honest, detailed look at the atrocities of 1937. He also refrains from blaming some invisible aspect of a people, or a culture that led to the rape, torture and murder of tens of thousands human beings. Never hints or suggests that America or any other nation would be incapable commiting such horrors. The probem is that Americans tend to identify along racial lines. within the American categorization of course. 4 . 2 2 . 0 2 Guess a little Asian American activism never hurt anybody. Pretty sad actually that it takes something rather low key and smeared by mass consumer culture to evoke a response. Kinda reminds me of the uproar over the Bloodhound Gang songs. At least I can say that I never really shopped at A&F anyhow. Too expensive for my tastes. Interesting how much of the media is talking about how APAs are a growing consumer demographic, implying that money = power? Will have to see about this one. Arakawa got sentenced today, have some mixed reactions about what went on in court. I think the sentencing as well as the verdict was fair, although I wouldn't go as far to say that I thought it was a fair trial. The media has a big share in it, along with some other societal changes in consiousness. I agree in the saying that people nowadays want blood, not justice. Its also hard to make decisions when you know the cameras are rolling. high publicity and everyone is checking the mirror for how they look and sound. I think I agree with Dr. Elder about politics. Word is that there is civil case pending as well. Complicated. UH Law is holding a reception on Thursday for newly admitted students. Planning on stopping by to check it out. Still pretty decided on my plan for the fall though. 4 . 1 9 . 0 2 Helen Zia is in town, and tonight she gave a talk at the Japanese Cultural Center in Moili'ili. She spoke on the critical mass of Asian America that is forming in light of the silence that many are facing after 9-11. Detaining of Asian Americans of Arab descent, as well as new hate crimes against south asians. The WTC were designed by a nisei architect - for "patriotic" purposes the media has chosen to ignore this fact, despite all of the commentary about the building structure. Wen Ho Lee was the gravest victim of racial profiling, detained by the FBI for paranoid statements such as being able to transmit complex thermonuclear secrets by using the simple word "hello"? Being held into 9 months of probably the worst solitary confinement pre 9-11? The fact that Lee's parents are Taiwanese, and that during the investigation China was testing weapons over Taiwan? General consensus by haoles that Asian Americans are more loyal to China as opposed to the US? And that the federal judge that presided over the case that went from 59 felony counts of espionage to a single espionage felony on a shoddy plea bargain took the time to personally apologize on the record to Lee stating that this case was an embarrasment to the nation. Memory of the 442nd and the 100th, the interment, and all of the contributions of APAs in American history, and today Asian Americans are still considered outsiders to American nation. Plus the fact that most moslems in the world are asian. As I was leaving I came across a Kendo class going on in the dojo. Noticed that there were a lot of yong kids there swinging their shinais, all wearing bogus. Kind of remined me of Fukui. Hawaii International Spring Film Festival kicked off tonight, saw a Korean film called "Take Care of My Cat". Very well done coming of age movie about 4 South Korean girls after high school. I was noticing some similarities with Japan, shots of the trains and the city and what not. Part of the move towards globalization people get caught up in the mix. I think its the assumption that most Koreans are loaded, granted that most of whom I came in contact with in college were obviously rich kids. All and all and I've been researching about Okinawa, the Ryukyu kingdom, and the Sho dynasties. Coming to terms about the really tragic history of the Okinawans. More on that later. 4 . 1 0 . 0 2 Chie is in towne, her ship is in port, and Jess and I picked her up at the Aloha Tower. went to MaiTais, and she couldn't get in with her ship pass. ended up cruising with her at Bubba Gumps next door, apparently envoked a reaction. don't quite understand the details, but have to say it's frustrating. Got blasted in POLS 635G US-Japan Realtions class today, well kinda. not really. I don't think it was intentional, but I didn't feel so hot leaving the conference room today. At least I possibly saved some humiliation for the other students today. During the break a few of them mentioned that sensei's comments were a little harsh. and I took them to heart, a little. Although in retrospect I've come to realize the limitations of academia. Easy to criticize the naive freshman for his lack of knowledge in political structure, or history, more so, his eagerness to dream idealistically for even a moment. Sensei had very good points though. I need to work on some points a bit more and work on my delivery. I guess if I had been anticipating a convicing arguement-style presentation I would have prepared better for it. However after the 9-11 attacks, the world is honestly a different place, especially for the political theorists. I've committed to La Follette for the fall, excited for what the next 2 years will bring me. all and all life has been very good to me. 4 . 8 . 0 2 April, at a point of low-stress and well rested procastination, a good contrast from the musings of the past 4 years. Have an Econ test on Wed and a short paper due tomorrow, not really that worried about it. I suppose this is my well-earned mid-baccalaureate slump of sorts. Came across a compilation of Joe Sacco's PALESTINE in Revolution books, a refreshing take on news journalism in the form of comics. Makes sense to take a non-traditional stance by using a non-tradiational medium. Had some references to Layoun's class on comics and pop-culture. Meanwhile the chaos ensues in the middle east. Noticing that starbucks is a regular distributor of the Weekly, and Barnes & Noble has a good sample of magazines, some worth reading, others others, well. Fools people in thinking that these companies are at least trying to resist the move towards corporate domination of local markets and mass consumer culture. I have to remind myself that as well from time to time. I think eventually it becomes a matter of convenience as opposed to principle. Anomic thinking really. I think I shall be working on a new project. Distractions abound, I really need to be getting off my okole and getting some work done. April already. Then again I'm not complaining too much. Found a decent site with a listing of Kurosawa films, apparently they're based here in hawaii. |